The Canaries are desperately on the look-out for a new manager after Paul Lambert jumped ship to Aston Villa (7/1 – Premier League Relegation) in acrimonious circumstances surrounding rejected resignations, rumours of fall-outs over the financial stability of the club and being forced to sell their best players to raise funds.

Losing a manager of Lambert’s credentials will have hurt Norwich as he took them from the depths of League One to a mid-table finish in the Premier League, and brought together a collection of lower league misfits and journeymen to look like a polished top-flight outfit.

So where do Norwich turn now? Despite their finish last season there remains no doubt that Norwich are a minnow in the Premier League and so may struggle to get an established big name into the dug-out at Carrow Road – despite chief executive David McNally stating the club were on a “European search” to get a manager with pedigree in.

One man who was highly linked with the role was former Norwich player and now Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay, this was despite McNally claiming they wanted a manager with “top league” experience.

The Welsh manager has earned a rising reputation with Watford and now the Bluebirds but has declared himself out of the race for the job as he wants to “stay and finish a long-term project” in Wales (Cardiff 16/1 – Championship Outright). The fact there is so much uncertainty regarding off-the-field issues at Carrow Road could put many potential suitors off.

The only other name really linked with the post is Chris Hughton after he seems to have been over-looked for the job at West Bromwich Albion (9/2 – Premier League Relegation) in favour of the German Ralf Ragnick – also reportedly one of the names McNally fancies for Norwich.

None of these names being thrown around really scream mass optimism if you are a Norwich fan and it could be a long campaign ahead.

Add to the lack of manager the distinct proposition that Grant Holt will be leaving the club this year after slapping in a transfer request. His 15 goals meant he was the second best English goal scorer in the Premier League and linked with a call-up to the Euro 2012 England squad.

There are going to be no shortage of suitors for Holt and Norwich will struggle to get a quality of his calibre to replace him, especially for the £4 million quoted for the 31-year-old.

Norwich over-performed last season and unfortunately 2012/13 could be a season that really shows up how much they over-achieved and how good a manager Lambert really was.

This rag-tag collection of footballers need to be galvanised by whoever the new boss is, but it remains to be seen if anyone else could really get the same passion, quality and energy out of the players like Lambert did.

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Newly appointed West Ham boss Avram Grant is hoping to bring the good times back to Upton Park and is looking forward to the challenge of next season.

The Hammers struggled last season under the leadership of Gianfranco Zola and only managed to secure their place in the Premier League with a couple of games to spare.

Zola was axed by co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan as soon as the season was over and it soon became clear that Grant was the man they wanted.

Slaven Bilic, Sam Allardyce and Ian Holloway had all been linked with the job but Grant was always hot favourite to take the job as soon as his duties with Portsmouth came to an end.

The Israeli worked wonders under very difficult circumstances at Fratton Park and even though they were relegated after being deducted nine points for going into administration, he still managed to guide them to the FA Cup final before losing to Chelsea.

Grant admitted that leaving Pompey was always going to be tough after building up a great relationship with the fans and he will be looking to do that again at Upton Park with the Hammers faithful.

“I’m proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It’s an exciting challenge and I’m ready to do my best,” Grant told the club’s official website.

“West Ham is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I’m already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season.”

Grant now has the job of making sure the Hammers are nowhere near the drop zone next season and if he gets the backing of the board, he should be able to get the club moving in the right direction.

The former Chelsea boss inherits a squad of talented players that boasts the likes of Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker and he will be hoping to keep hold of his star trio before adding to his ranks.

The board have said everyone apart from Scott Parker is up for grabs but Grant will want to keep his key men if he is to get the Hammers pushing for the top 10.

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